System for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles

ABSTRACT

A system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles includes a vehicle storage platform having a first level and a second level. The first level is defined by first level frame members. The first level includes a first vehicle storage surface configured to retain a portion of a vehicle and a left side and a right side opposite the left side of the first level. The vehicle storage platform includes a second level defined by second level frame members with a second vehicle storage surface configured to retain a portion of a vehicle. The second vehicle storage surface is disposed at a position vertically higher than the first vehicle storage surface. The second level includes a left side and a right side opposite the left side of the second level. A debris deflection assembly covers the first vehicle storage surface and deflects debris from entering a vehicle placement zone.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/904639, filed Nov. 1, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to vehicle storage, and moreparticularly, relates to a system for preventing fluid damage tovertically stacked vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that storing a vehicle, e.g., a boat, in a dry storagefacility requires lifting and transporting the boat to a storage slip.Many dry storage facilities include several storage racks, i.e., levels,wherein boats are placed one underneath the other in their respectivestorage slips. One existing problem with this type of storage is theissue of water collection from one boat to another. The additionalweight of the water may result in a collapse of the storage rack. Acollapse of the storage rack would result in damage to the boats, aswell as the building where the storage rack is an integral part of thebuilding. In addition, the collapse would endanger building occupantsand safety personnel attempting to remedy the structural collapse.

A major concern with indoor rack storage is protection of the boats andrack structure from fire due to the high flammability of many boatconstruction materials (e.g., fiberglass, fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP)resins, wood, and rubber) combined with the stack configuration. Mostboats in dry stacked storage are stored with filled fuel tanks toprevent water vapors from entering. Further, typical warehouse storagecreates obstructions to the fire plume that “channels” the heated gasesand flames up narrow flue spaces created by the rack structure, shelvesand storage commodity. In boat storage configurations flue spaces arenot well defined or consistently narrow, and the dimensions can varysignificantly. Consequently, the flow of heated gases and flames may notexhibit the known behavior of narrow flue spaces associated withconventional rack storage facilities. In the event of a fire, thoughsprinkler systems may put out the fire, the sprinkler systems do notaddress the outcome of water filling the lower racked boats with water.The accumulation of water would create a catastrophic overload andpossible collapse of the supporting structure and/or building.

An additional problem presented by dry storage facilities is the issueof oil, gasoline, and the like, dripping from one boat to an adjacentboat. This causes stains in upholstery which is inconvenient andexpensive to replace, as well as being aesthetically unappealing.Further, storage facilities typically do not accept responsibility forstaining or leakage from other boats.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art asdiscussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a system for preventing fluid damage tovertically stacked vehicles that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioneddisadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of thisgeneral type and that prevents fluid from leaking off of one vehicle andonto an adjacent vehicle.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, inaccordance with the invention, a system for preventing fluid damage tovertically stacked vehicles having a vehicle storage platform. Thevehicle storage platform includes a first level defined by first levelframe members and with a first vehicle storage surface configured toretain a portion of a vehicle. The first level includes a left side anda right side opposite the left side of the first level. A second levelis defined by second level frame members with a second vehicle storagesurface configured to retain a portion of a vehicle and disposed at aposition vertically higher than the first vehicle storage surface. Thesecond level includes a left side and a right side opposite the leftside of the second level. A first plurality of vertical level supportmembers separates the first level and the second level. A secondplurality of vertical level support members separates the first leveland the second level. A first horizontal level support member separatesthe first plurality of vertical level support members and a secondhorizontal level support member separates the second plurality ofvertical level support members. A debris deflection assembly defines avehicle placement zone. The debris deflection assembly includes a firstend, a second end, and an assembly length separating the first andsecond ends of the debris deflection assembly. A first portion spans ina direction of the assembly length and oriented in a direction towardthe second level. The first portion of the debris deflection assembly iscoupled to a portion of the second level frame members with at least onefastener. A second portion with a substantially enclosed upper surfacespans in a direction of the assembly length, the second portion of thedebris deflection assembly is coupled to the first and second pluralityof horizontal level support members with at least one fastener to permitthe substantially enclosed upper surface of the second portion to extenddownwardly from a lower end of the first portion of the debrisdeflection assembly towards the left and right sides of the first level.The substantially enclosed upper surface of the second portion alsocovers the first vehicle storage surface and deflects a debris fromentering the vehicle placement zone.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes a third portion spanning in a direction of theassembly length and extending downwardly from a lower end of the secondportion of the debris deflection assembly towards the first level.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention thesubstantially enclosed upper surface is of a waterproof material.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, thesubstantially enclosed upper surface is of a polymeric material.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin a system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles,it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shownbecause various modifications and structural changes may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scopeand range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-knownelements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be describedin detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant detailsof the invention.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodimentsof the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to beunderstood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of theinvention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art tovariously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandabledescription of the invention. While the specification concludes withclaims defining the features of the invention that are regarded asnovel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood froma consideration of the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one ormore than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as twoor more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as atleast a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as usedherein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term“coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although notnecessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term“providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g.,bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/orsupplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at onceor over a period of time.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to allnumeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These termsgenerally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art wouldconsider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the samefunction or result). In many instances these terms may include numbersthat are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document,the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a directioncorresponding to an elongated direction of the vehicle storage platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle storage platform in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a debris deflection assemblydefining a vehicle placement zone in accordance with the an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the vehicle storage platform andthe debris deflection assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the vehicle storage platform andthe debris deflection assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thefollowing description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in whichlike reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood thatthe disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, whichcan be embodied in various forms.

The present invention provides a novel and efficient system forpreventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles, especiallyboats. Although the present invention is described as a system forpreventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles, a device forpreventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles, and method ofusing the present system is within the scope of the present invention.Embodiments of the invention provide a vehicle storage platform having afirst level and a second level, and a debris deflection assemblydefining a vehicle placement zone positioned between the first andsecond levels. The debris deflection assembly is designed to cover afirst vehicle storage surface and deflect debris, e.g., hazardous oiland gasoline, from entering the vehicle placement zone. Said anotherway, the present invention is designed to prevent liquids, such as bilgedrip and diesel soot damage, from leaking off of one vehicle, e.g.,boat, to the interior of an adjacent boat below. As a further advantage,embodiments of the present invention prevent the vehicle storageplatform from collapsing due to the substantial weight of wateraccumulating within vehicles stored in the vehicle storage platform.Advantageously, the present invention reduces the possibility of thevehicle storage platform, e.g., dry boat storage facility, collapsingwhich, as a practical matter, will increase life-safety, reduceenvironmental hazard, and which provides an economic benefit by reducingthe need for replacement and insurable expenses associated withcollapsible vehicle storage platforms.

Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention isshown in a perspective view. FIG. 1 shows several advantageous featuresof the present invention, but, as will be described below, the inventioncan be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features andcomponents, and varying numbers and functions of the components. Thefirst example of a system for preventing fluid damage to verticallystacked vehicles 100, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a vehicle storageplatform 102. The vehicle storage platform 102 includes a first level104 defined by a plurality of first level frame members 106. The firstlevel 104 includes a first vehicle storage surface 108 that is designedto retain a portion of a vehicle 110. The term “vehicle” is definedherein as any means by which someone travels or something is carried orconveyed. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle 110 is a boat. In otherembodiments, the vehicle may be an automobile, a motorcycle, or thelike. FIG. 1 shows the first level 104 having a left side 112 and aright side 114 located opposite the left side 112 of the first level104.

The system for preventing fluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles100 includes a second level 116 defined by a plurality of second levelframe members 118. The second level 116 includes a second vehiclestorage surface 120 configured to retain a portion of the vehicle 110.The second level 116 is disposed at a position vertically higher thanthe first vehicle storage surface 104. The second level includes a leftside 122 and a right side 124 opposite the left side 122 of the secondlevel 116. FIG. 1 shows the vehicle storage platform 102 having a firstplurality of vertical level support members 126 separating the firstlevel 104 and the second level 116. A second plurality of vertical levelsupport members 128 is also shown separating the first level 104 and thesecond level 116. In one embodiment, the vertical support members 126,128 are formed as separate components. In other embodiments, thevertical support members 126, 128 may be permanently welded together toform one continuous structural component. The system for preventingfluid damage to vertically stacked vehicles 100 may also include aplurality of non-corrosive cables at attached to the vertical supportmembers 126, 128.

FIG. 1 shows the vehicle storage platform 102 including a firsthorizontal support member 130 separating the first plurality of verticalsupport members 126 and a second horizontal support member 132separating the second plurality of vertical support members 128. In oneembodiment, the horizontal support members 130, 132 are formed asseparate components. In other embodiments, the horizontal supportmembers 130, 132 may be permanently welded together to form onecontinuous structural component.

FIG. 1 shows the system for preventing fluid damage to verticallystacked vehicles 100 having a debris deflection assembly 134. The termdebris is defined herein as liquid, oil, gasoline, and any other debriscommonly associated with an underside of a vehicle 110, especially aboat. In one embodiment, the debris deflection assembly is made of afire retardant fabric that is compliant with the National FireProtection Association (NFPA) 701 standard. In one embodiment, thematerial is a waterproof fabric material. In another embodiment, thematerial may also be a flexible, antimicrobial material that isincapable of being torn and that is easy to clean. In one embodiment,the material is vinyl. In another embodiment, the material may be apolymeric material. In other embodiments, the material may be anotherdurable material.

The debris deflection assembly 134 defines defining a vehicle placementzone 136. The vehicle placement zone 136 includes a first end 138, asecond end 140, and an assembly length 142 separating the first andsecond ends 138, 140 of the debris deflection assembly 134. The debrisdeflection assembly 134 includes a first portion 144 spanning in adirection of the assembly length 142. The first portion 144 is shownoriented in a direction toward the first level 104. The first portion144 of the debris deflection assembly 134 is coupled to a portion 146 ofthe second level frame members 118 with at least one fastener 148. Inone embodiment the fastener 148 is a nickel plated brass fastener. Inanother embodiment the fastener 148 is a corrosion proof cableattachment. In other embodiments, the fastener 148 is a stainless steelfastener. The fastener 148 may be adjustable to allow horizontal andvertical directional flow of debris toward the left side 112 and theright side 114.

FIG. 2 shows the debris deflection assembly 134 having a second portion200. The second portion 200 includes a substantially enclosed uppersurface 202. The term “substantially enclosed” is defined herein assurrounding at least seventy five percent of the vehicle 110. Thesubstantially enclosed upper surface 202 spans in a direction of theassembly length 142 (as shown in FIG. 1). The second portion 200 of thedebris deflection assembly is coupled to the first and second pluralityof horizontal support members 130, 132 (as shown in FIG. 1) with atleast one fastener 204. In one embodiment the fastener 204 is a nickelplated brass fastener. In another embodiment the fastener 204 is acorrosion proof cable attachment. In other embodiments, the fastener 204is a stainless steel fastener.

With reference to FIG. 1, in conjunction with FIG. 3, the first andsecond plurality of horizontal support members 130, 132 and the fastener204 permit the substantially enclosed upper surface 202 of the secondportion 200 to extend downwardly from a lower end 206 of the firstportion 144 of the debris deflection assembly 134 towards the left side112 and the right side 114 of the first level 104. Advantageously, thesubstantially enclosed upper surface 202 is configured to cover thefirst vehicle storage surface 108 and deflect a debris from entering thevehicle placement zone 136.

FIG. 4 shows the debris deflection assembly 134 having a third portion300. The third portion 300 spans in a direction of the assembly length142 and extends downwardly from a lower end 302 of the second portion200 of the debris deflection assembly 134 towards the first level 104.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for preventing fluid damage tovertically stacked vehicles comprising: a vehicle storage platformhaving: a first level defined by a plurality of first level framemembers and with a first vehicle storage surface configured to retain aportion of a vehicle, the first level having a left side and a rightside opposite the left side of the first level; a second level definedby a plurality of second level frame members with a second vehiclestorage surface configured to retain a portion of a vehicle and disposedat a position vertically higher than the first vehicle storage surface,the second level having a left side and a right side opposite the leftside of the second level; a first plurality of vertical level supportmembers separating the first level and the second level; a secondplurality of vertical level support members separating the first leveland the second level; and a first horizontal level support memberseparating the first plurality of vertical level support members and asecond horizontal level support member separating the second pluralityof vertical level support members; and a debris deflection assemblydefining a vehicle placement zone and having: a first end, a second end,and an assembly length separating the first and second ends of thedebris deflection assembly; a first portion spanning in a direction ofthe assembly length and oriented in a direction toward the first level,the first portion of the debris deflection assembly coupled to a portionof the second level frame members with at least one fastener; and asecond portion with a substantially enclosed upper surface spanning in adirection of the assembly length, the second portion of the debrisdeflection assembly coupled to the first and second horizontal levelsupport members with at least one fastener to permit the substantiallyenclosed upper surface of the second portion to: extend downwardly froma lower end of the first portion of the debris deflection assemblytowards the left and right sides of the first level; cover the firstvehicle storage surface; and deflect a debris from entering the vehicleplacement zone.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the debrisdeflection assembly further comprises: a third portion spanning in adirection of the assembly length and extending downwardly from a lowerend of the second portion of the debris deflection assembly towards thefirst level.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein thesubstantially enclosed upper surface is of a waterproof fabric material.4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the substantially enclosedupper surface is of a polymeric material.